Sarah Smith Presents at Green Design Saves Green Event

During spring break, Director of Science Research, Upper School Biology teacher, and Preserve Manager Sarah Smith presented at Green Design Saves Green, a workshop that was held at Germantown Academy on March 26 for public and private larger property owners and managers.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) organized and sponsored the conference in which a number of local professionals presented, including Ms. Smith and Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC representative Carolyn Campbell, wife of Middle School Dean of Students Jonas Jeswald.

During the presentation portion of the workshop in the Honickman Auditorium, the audience listened to several different organizations present case studies of ecological restoration on various types of properties: residential developments, corporate parks, preserved spaces and schools. By listening to these case studies, other land owners, land managers, and industry professionals were able to learn about new techniques that have been successfully implemented in order to mitigate stormwater issues. Attendees also took a tour, led by Ms. Smith and Ms. Campbell, of Germantown Academy’s numerous green features, including the gray water system, Green Roof, Academic Courtyard, rain gardens, Wissahickon Creek and preserved wetlands.

“The goal of the workshop was to present and discuss landscape techniques to help improve environmental sustainability on a property (mainly related to stormwater management), while saving money and improving both stewardship practices and community relations,” said Ms. Smith. “It was a great way to showcase what we are doing at Germantown Academy on a daily basis.”